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A bidding window is set to close for companies to express their interest in developing the council’s flagship £170 million regeneration of a former brewery site.

Edinburgh City Council will draw up a shortlist of developers for the former Fountainbridge brewery site once the tender window closes on Friday 29 November.

Bosses hope to have a development partner in place by the summer of 2020 and it is anticipated that construction could begin in spring 2021.

Once completed, the redevelopment will transform three hectares of canalside brownfield land in Fountainbridge into more than 400 new homes of which 177 will be affordable. The development will also include a 10,000 sq m office building aimed at attracting technology companies, along with more 4,500 sq m of shops, bars, restaurants and space for social enterprises.

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Cllr Kate Campbell, who leads on housing, homelessness and fair work, said: ”The new high school and refurbishment of the old rubber factory, now a state of the art HQ for Edinburgh Printmakers, were the first steps in the regeneration of this long-standing gap site. This next phase will see hundreds of new homes being built and around 40 per cent of them will be affordable. Fountainbridge has proportionally less social housing than other parts of the city so this is crucial.”

She added: “We have the opportunity to deliver office space on part of the site, some of which will be available for social enterprises and which will have a strong focus on the emerging tech sector, supporting our ambition to be the data driven capital of Europe and creating well-paid, skilled jobs.

“We’re also looking at a low or zero carbon energy solution for the site which is vital to our commitment to reach net zero carbon by 2030.

“And we’re keeping local people involved at every stage of this process, listening to what they want and need for their community. Their input is strongly reflected in the plans.”

The regeneration of Fountainbridge has gathered pace in recent years with former industrial land being transformed into offices, hotels, flats, and student accommodation – as well as a new home for Boroughmuir High School and the Edinburgh Printmakers cultural hub.

An outline business case for the redevelopment of the council’s remaining land at the site was approved in March 2019, and work is now under way to find the best partner to develop the proposals.

Local Green Cllr Gavin Corbett said: “The masterplan for Fountainbridge has rightly won plaudits for the way it has involved the local community in developing a vision of a thriving, mixed-use neighbourhood fit for the 21st century.

“We are now at the delivery end, however. I expect to see real progress on a zero carbon ambition with district heating and green space woven into the site.

“I’m looking forward to many of the homes being well below market prices and the commercial units offering space to small businesses and social enterprises.

“And I want to see the canalside location as part of the way the area works, not just a pretty backdrop.”

Shortlist of developers to be drawn up for £170 million regeneration of former Fountainbridge brewery site